Is a four-day working week possible in the UAE?

Numerous studies around the world are indicating that a four-day working week can be successful, leading to an increase in productivity and happier, healthier employees as the work-life balance improves. Governments and private companies in countries such as Spain, New Zealand and Iceland have been experimenting with a reduced working week without cutting employees’ salaries.

 

Here in the UAE, a digital marketing company in Dubai recently announced that it is switching to a four-day working week from September until the end of the year to provide employees with a better work-life balance. While there are many factors for companies to consider before making the switch, is it possible that a four-day working week will become the norm for employees around the world or is it more about flexibility to achieve a better work-life balance?

 

Host Felicity Glover is joined by David McKenzie, group managing director at Dubai-based recruitment agency McKenzie Jones, who outlines his reasons why a four-day working week is unlikely to succeed in the UAE.